The state says plates that have faded to the point they are hard to read must be replaced.

The department says a problem with the manufacturing process of plates produced between 2003 and 2005 may cause fading. State law allows those plates to be replaced at no cost to the owner.

Owners of vehicles with faded plates should fill out a form available on the department's website.

Owners will receive a new plate number unless they have a vanity or a plate with four digits or less. If an owner of a vehicle that has other plates wishes to keep their current registration number they must pay $10 per plate.